DCFO Garrigan read to children from St Columbas Roman Catholic Primary School.
DCFO reads to pupils for World Book Day
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Phil Garrigan, swapped blazes for books to read to Huyton schoolchildren for World Book Day.
DCFO Garrigan visited St Columbas Roman Catholic Primary School in Huyton where he took part in a special assembly and read to around 30 children from reception class.
Children dressed as an array of their favourite literary characters including ‘Where’s Wally’, ‘Gangsta Granny’, the ‘Queen of Hearts’ and ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ to welcome DCFO Garrigan.
The four and five-year-olds sat cross-legged as he read them the tale of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and answered questions about his work.
DCFO Garrigan visited the school together with Assistant Chief Constable Julie Cooke from Merseyside Police as part of World Book Day, an international celebration of reading.
They were presented with cakes from the children to say thank you for their visit and celebrate their roles as reading ambassadors in the community.
DCFO Garrigan said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit
St Columbas and help the children and staff celebrate World Book Day.
“Everyone looked fantastic and they seemed to really enjoy dressing up as their favourite characters. It was wonderful to see how much the children enjoy reading and I was thrilled to be part of such a special day.”
Headteacher Margaret Evans said: “We were delighted and extremely grateful to the Deputy Chief Fire Officer for taking time to come and read to the pupils here at our school.
“It is vitally important for our school to continue our special community link with the fire service. It is an inspirational and exciting experience for the children to see such a successful and hard-working officer enjoying reading in the way that Mr Garrigan does.”
Mini firefighter has a day to remember at Netherton
Blue Watch at Netherton Community Fire Station have been thanked by the family of a four-year-old girl after they welcomed her to the station for a look around.
Dressed in her own Firefighter uniform, which she received as a Christmas present, Azalea Cleary visited the station together with her dad, Ian.
She was given a tour of the station by the Blue Watch crew and got the chance to sit in a fire appliance, sound the sirens and use a hose.
Dad Ian said: “We had such a fantastic visit to the station, the crew were so affable and patient and really seemed
to enjoy giving us the tour. It was a surprise trip for Azalea and she got to try the truck's sirens, look at all of the equipment on board and even try out the hose!
“Finally, Azalea got to try the pole that the crew use to quickly drop to the ground floor and it really seemed to complete the experience for her.
“Azalea certainly had a day to remember, and it also brought back very fond memories of my visit to the station as a young school boy.
“I really wish to thank everyone at the station for the experience, and I hope Azalea continues to be interested in the fire service.”
Azalea’s grandfather Ray said: “I would like to thank everyone who helped organise Azalea’s visit to Netherton Community Fire Station.
“She went along in her first little fire kit, which we got her for Christmas, and was over the moon with the whole experience. Thank you all so very much and keep up the excellent work.”
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Azalea got chance to use a hose.
Looking right at home in the cab of an appliance.